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Day 1: Noto, Birthplace of Gelato

We pedaled out of Siracusa away from the Mediterranean up a long grade onto a rocky escarpment toward the historic ruin of Antico Noto (Old Noto). Antico Noto was famous in its day, rumored to be a stopover for Hercules as he returned from his seven impossible tasks. A major earthquake in 1693 destroyed Antico Noto and surrounding towns, leaving it today as a majestic ruin and World Heritage Site.

Cyclist conquers Antico Noto

Wildflowers amid the ruins. In fact, wildflowers line the roads and fill the fields as if all of Sicily is a flower garden.

Antico Noto detail.

Afterward we moseyed onward 5 km into today’s Noto, claimed by some to be the birthplace of gelato (NOT the only town to make this claim!). We ate pizza at shaded cafe tables, then took it on ourselves to explore the authenticity of the town’s gelato claim. Afterward, we remounted our bikes, picked up a tailwind and sped back to Siracusa on busy roads. (60 mi., 3,100 ft)